Ben Roethlisberger Offers Advice For Polanco, Walker

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass in the first half of an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)- Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger joined The Cook and Poni Show after his OTA practice session Tuesday at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger said the one-day practice at Heinz Field is something that Coach Mike Tomlin likes to do once a year for the rookies to experience before the pre-season games to take away some of the mystique of Heinz Field but for him it’s just another day at the office.

He likes what he is seeing from the rookies thus far and he thinks they are making great strides.

“You are always either getting better or worse but you never stay the same,” Roethlisberger said.

He also has been real pleased with one of the new wide receivers Lance Moore who signed here as a free agent.

“Lance is a pro,” Roethlisberger said. “He is a guy we can count on. We will miss Cotchery but he is a guy that can give us good things as a teammate on and off the field.”

Roethlisberger also had an emergency appendectomy surgery like Pirates second baseman Neil Walker, so he knows what he is going through and says that he can expect to be out for awhile.

“He should feel good to go in a couple of weeks,” Roethlisberger said.

The buzz in Pittsburgh Tuesday is about the major league debut of Pirates Outfielder Gregory Polanco and it’s something Roethlisberger has also taken notice of.

“I know everybody is excited about him playing tonight but I have tickets to Thursday’s game so if he wants to wait that is OK with me,” Roethlisberger said with a laugh.

He remembers what it was like when he made his pro debut

“I got thrown into my first start because Tommy (Maddox) was injured. It was a whirlwind of events and I was just trying not to screw up,” Roethlisberger added. “I just didn’t want to let my teammates down.”

Roethlisberger also talked about his two big events coming up with his golf tournament and Big Ben Football camp which benefits Make-A-Wish.